Sliding panel decorative frame, handle, and latch means combination

ABSTRACT

A sliding panel construction for a framed opening such as a window opening, wherein one of the horizontal panel rail members carries a slidable latch means cooperable with a jamb frame member, the latch means including a unitary integral latch handle and bolt member so constructed and arranged to cooperate with a stile member of the panel, a feature strip on the rail member, and a selectively spaced ported latch bolt receiving member provided on one of said jamb frame members.

United States Patent [1 1 Grossman 1 Oct. 30, 1973 SLIDING PANEL DECORATIVE FRAME,

HANDLE, AND LATCH MEANS COMBINATION [76] Inventor: Abraham Grossman, 9339 Rhea Avenue, Northridge, Calif.

[22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 196,510

[52] U.S. Cl. 49/450, 292/175 [51] Int. Cl E05d 13/06 [58] Field of Search 49/449, 450;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,012,120 8/l935 Conway 49/450 X Schneider 49/450 Ahlgren 292/175 Primary Examiner-Kenneth Downey Att0rneyE. F. Joros et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A sliding panel construction for a framed opening such as a window opening, wherein one of the horizontal panel rail members carries a slidable latch means [cooperable with a jamb frame member, the latch means including a unitary integral latch handle and bolt member so constructed and arranged to cooperate with a stile member of the panel, a featurc strip on the rail member, and a selectively spaced ported latch bolt receiving member provided on one of said jamb frame members.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures A SLIDING PANEL DECORATIVE FRAME, HANDLE, AND LATCI'I MEANS COMBINATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sliding panel constructions have included doublehung window sash in which a pair of top and bottom window panels are slidably retained in vertical jamb members of a framed window opening. The doublesash window panels may be moved vertically to vary an opening inv the window at either the top or bottom of the framed window opening. Prior proposed means for retaining a partially open window sash panel in position have included a horizontally slidable pin carried in a vertical stile of the window panel, the pin being adapted to be pushed sidewardly into an opening provided therefor in the associated jamb frame member. Such pins were awkward to actuate because lifting of the window sash panel was accomplished by handles located on a horizontal rail member and spaced from the sash retaining pin.

In other prior proposed constructions, handles were provided on the horizontal rail member of the window sash panel, the handles being spaced from the panel stile and interconnecting actuating means were provided between a bolt and the handle for insertion and retraction of the bolt into an associated opening in the jamb frame member. In such proposed handles and interconnecting actuating means latch elements or parts were provided on the handle which required squeezing or pressing at the same time the panel was raised to a selected position. Such squeezable elements were relatively small and difficult to actuate by a person having relatively weak hands and fingers and since a retraction and lifting action was required at the same time, such coordination was accomplished with difficulty and sometimes with annoyance.

Moreover such prior proposed constructions included attachments or mountings for either the pins of handle and actuating means which usually detracted from the appearance of the window.

SUMMARY OF TI-IE INVENTION The present invention relates to a novel construction of a decorative frame handle and latch combination particularly adapted for use on sliding panels and which avoids disadvantages of prior proposed constructions.

handle inwardly or away from the jamb member, and then raising the sash panel to a selected height, and then permitting the latch handle means to be biased toward the jamb member for interlocking engagement with bolt receiving openings provided therein.

An object of the invention therefore is to provide a novel construction of a latch-handle means for a rail member of a sliding panel wherein the construction is simple, inexpensive, and attractive in appearance.

Another object of the invention is to disclose and provide a sliding panel construction which includes a decorative feature strip member having ends which serve to abut and position the latch-handle means in one position thereof, namely retracted position.

A still further object of the present invention is to disclose and provide a latch-handle means for sliding window' panels and adapted to hold a panel in one of severalselected positions in which minimum parts and the novel construction of the invention includes simple facile assembly of the related parts and provides for ease of operation of the latch-handle means.

The invention contemplates a rail member on a panel I and on which a unitary latch-handle means is slidably mounted longitudinally of the rail member and at ends of the rail member adjacent to the stile of the panel and the jamb member of a framed window opening. The latch handle means is slidably carried in a continuous longitudinal groove in the rail member, the continuous groove also accommodating a decorative feature strip which provides at its end faces abutment means for positioning the latch handle means in retracted position. The latch handle means includes a bolt portion which extends beyond the stile of the sash panel for insertion into bolt receiving openings provided in longitudinal spaced relation in a jamb member defining the framed opening. In this example the stile of the panel cooperates with the latch-handle means for limiting its travel in a direction toward the jamb member. Spring means biases the latch-handle means towards the jamb member. Retraction of the latch-handle means and lifting of the sash panel is simply efficiently and effectively accomplished by simply grasping the handle, sliding the A still further object of the invention is to disclose and provide a latch-handle means characterized by a unitary integral construction made from an extruded plastic member of selected color, and wherein a feature strip extending between latch-handle means at opposite ends of the rail member may be made of similar plastic material and of the same color.

A further object of the invention is to disclose and provide a novel latch and handle means for a sliding panel construction which is located and operable at end portion of a rail member, and which provides an attractive pleasing aesthetic appearance to the window panel construction.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the drawings in which an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a double-hung window construction embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken in the planes indicated by line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a corner of the sliding panel construction shown in FIG. 1, portions of the stile and rail members of the sliding panel being broken away;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line IVIV of FIG. 3 and shows the latch-handle means in bolt lock position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 4 and shows the latch-handle means in retracted lifting position;

FIG. 6 is a vertical transverse section taken in the I plane indicated by line VI-VI of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective side elevational view of a latch-handle means embodying the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED A EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 a window frame construction generally indicated at 10 is illustrated andincludes an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this example window construction 10 is of double-hung sash type comprising a window frame structure 11 within which is slidably vertically movable a top window sash or panel 12 and bottom window sash or panel 14. The latch handle means generally indicated at embodying this invention is illustrated on the bottom sash 14 only although it is understood may be also employed on the top sash panel. In the present window construction spring type window sash balances are not employed and the top window sash 12 may be fixed in place by suitable means (not shown) while the bottom sash 14 may be vertically slidably movable and held in selected position by the latch handle means 15.

It will be understood that while a vertically slidable sash or panel 14 is shown in FIG. 1 the present invention has utility to slidably move and adjustably position a slidable panel relative to frame members in which the panel is slidably guided.

In detail, window construction 10 includes side jamb members 17, a head member 18, and a sill member 19. The jamb, head, and sill members are suitably mounted in a window opening in well-known manner and each member may include an aluminum or metal extrusion having a suitable selected cross section configuration. ln the present example each jamb member 17 includes a web 21 (FIG. 4) and inwardly directed longitudinally extending walls 22 and 23 which define a vertically extending recess 24. As best seen in FIG. 2 each jamb member 17 also includes a vertical recess 25 spaced outwardly from recess 24 to slidably accommodate top panel 12. Head member 18 similarly includes horizontally extending recesses to accommodate panels 12 and 14 when in uppermost position. Sill member 19 may include a horizontal web 26 provided with an inner upstanding wall 27, a rib 28 ofless height than wall 27 and spaced outwardly from wall 27, said rib 28 having end openings therein (not shown) for drainage. A depending flange 29 at the outer edge of web 26 serves to overlie the exterior bottom edge of the window opening.

Fixed sash panel 12 is only partially illustrated in FIG. 2 and includes side rail or stile 31 of suitable cross section partially receivable in vertical recesses 25, a top horizontal rail member 32 and bottom rail member or interlocker 33. Top rail member 32 is receivable in the top downwardly opening recess in head member 18 and bottom rail member 33 is provided with an upwardly directed interlock element 34 for cooperation with the top horizontal rail 36 of the bottom sash panel 14, said rail 36 being provided with a downwardly directed interlock element 37 engageable with interlock element 34 to provide a weather resistant joinder of the horizontal rail members 33 and 36. Top sash panel 12 includes a windowpane or light secured in the panel 12 by molding or glazing strips 39 of plastic material. In this example glazing strip 39 has a curved configuration between the interior face of windowpane 38 and the interior edge rail 33. Glazing strip 39 includes a channel 40 for reception of bottom edge portion of pane 38.

Vertical recesses 25 in the side jamb may receive a flat surfaced plastic filler strip 4 to provide a finished and protective covering for the vertical recesses 25.

Bottom sash panel 14 includes in addition to top horizontal rail member 36, vertical stiles or side rails 42 and a bottom rail member 3. Side rails 42 are received within the vertical recesses 24 in jamb member 17 and the outer base of each vertical rail 42 may be provided with a weather strip means 45 of well known form and adapted to bear against vertical wall 23 of the jamb member 17.

Means for adjustably vertically positioning the bottom sash panel 14in the frame opening may include an insert strip 47 retained within recess 24 by a vertical bead 48 and an opposed vertically extending shoulder 49 on jamb wall 23. Strip 47 includes a web 50 a relatively narrow wall 51 seated behind the shoulder 49, and a relatively wide wall 52 seated between the bead 48 and the web 21. Web 50 of strip 47 is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced ports or openings 53 formed by stamping or deforming portions of the web material to provided angle section support lugs 54. The spaced openings 53 provided on ajamb strip 47 in each ofjamb members 17 are spaced at corresponding intervals so that the panel 14 may be raised and secured by latch handle means 15 as hereafter described.

Bottom sliding sash panel 14 also includes a windowpane or light 56 secured in the top, bottom and side rail members by suitable glazing or molding receptacles 57. Bottom rail member 43 also includes a weather seal member 58 secured along its bottom edge for sealing cooperation with the top surface of web 26 of the sill member 19.

Bottom rail member 43 may be of any suitable configuration except for purposes of this invention, bottom rail member 43 includes a continuous longitudinally extending groove 60 provided with opposed longitudinal retaining lips 61 defining a groove opening 62. Slidably inserted within groove 60 from one end thereof is a decorative strip element 64 of channel or U-cross section. Decorative strip element 64 presents a decorative surface 65 observable between lips 61 for substantially the length of rail 43. Strip 64 may be extruded from suitable plastic material having a selected color so that the surface 65 presents a continuous uniform colored feature strip across the bottom of the window panel. Strip element 64 terminates in spaced relationship to ends of the rail members and provides end faces 66.

At each end of bottom rail member 43 latch-handle means 15 is mounted for slidable movement in groove 60 and for interlocking engagement with vertical strip 50 at opening 53. Latch-handle means 15 may comprise a unitary body member (FIG. 7) having a bolt portion 71 and a handle portion 72 integral therewith. Bolt portion 71 is of rectangular cross section corresponding to the cross sectional configuration of groove 60 and is provided a relatively loose sliding fit with said groove 60. Bolt portion 71 projects beyond handle portion 72 and the end extremity 73 is normally receivable within port 53 as best seen in FIG. 3. In extended or projected position, body member 70 provides a face 75 for abutment with the edge of stile member 42 to limit movement of the bolt portion into openings 53.

Between longitudinal surface 76 of bolt portion 71, which defines a longitudinal vertical plane, and surface 77 of handle portion 72 there is provided a guide recess 78 which cooperates with the top lip 61 of the bottom rail for sliding movement of the latch-handle along bottom rail 43. To further assist such guiding movement the bottom lip 61 slidably cooperates with the bottom edge portion of the bolt portion 71. Thus bolt portion 71 serves to provide interlocking engagement with the jamb strip 50 at selected openings 53 and also serves as a guide for the handle portion 72 in movement longitudinally of the rail member. As best seen in FIG. 2, bolt portion 71 interlocks the latch-handle means with the bottom rail 43 so that upperwardly directed force applied to the interiorly extending horizontal handle section 79 of handle portion 72 will be transmitted to the horizontal rail member 43 over a substantial bearing area provided by the length of the bolt portion.

Spring means 80 comprising a compression coil spring may be positioned in a bore 81 drilled in the latch-handle means at approximately the plane defined by the surface 76 of the bolt portion. Such bore 81 also includes a generally semicircular drilled portion 82 provided in the section of handle portion 72 which extends beyond end face 83 of bolt portion 71 and which serves to act as a cover section for the spring means when the latch-handle means is in projected position as shown in FIG. 4. Spring means 80 has one end seated on edge face 66 of feature strip element 64. Thus in complete or fully retracted position of latch-handle means it will be apparent from FIG. 5 that the end face 83 of the bolt portion will abut edge face 66 of the feature strip and be limited in its travel during retraction.

Latch-handle means 15 preferably is made from an extruded member of the same plastic material and color as feature strip 64 so that the color effect across the bottom rail is continuous. The configuration of the bolt portion and handle portion are readily cut from an extruded member and an unitary integral latch-handle body is thereby formed.

It will be apparent that assembly of the latch means is readily performed by inserting endwise feature strip 64 into the groove 60, placing spring means 60 in the receiving bore 81 in each of the latch-handle means, slidably inserting the bolt portions of each handle means into groove 60 until spring 80 is seated against the edge face 66 of the strip element 64 and the strip element is centered, and then assembling the vertical stile rail members 42 with the bottom rail 43. Upon such assembly it will be apparent that the spring means 80 normally biases the latch-handle means to their fully projected position, such projection being limited by the abutment of body member 70 with the edge of the stile.

Raising and lowering of the bottom sash panel 14 is readily accomplished by grasping the handle section 79 of each handle means 15, sliding handle means 15 towards each other until both extremities 73 disengage from openings 53 and then slidably raising s ash panel 14 to a selected height where the bolt portions 71 may be released and projected into selected openings 53 in the jamb strip 50.

It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that the latch-handle means 15 in combination with the decorative strip element 64 is an effective efficient construction for adjustably opening the movable panel 14 and for positively locking the panel 14 against opening. It is important to note that the latch-handle means is located immediately adjacent to the vertical stile or rail member of the movable sash where thereby permitsithe handle and latch to be formed as a unitary integral body and which also facilitates the retraction and then lifting or lowering of latch handles with the attached panel.

Changes and modifications of the above described example of this invention may be made and all such changes and modification coming within the scope of the appended claims are embrac'edthereby.

I claim:

1. In a sliding panel construction, the combination of:

spaced jamb members having vertically extending recesses and bolt receiving openings therein;

a panel frame means having stile members slidably receivable in said recesses of said jamb members, and including a panel rail member having a longitudinally extending groove in one side face'thereof with opposed longitudinal retaining lips defining a groove opening and having rail member ends connected with said stile members;

a decorative strip element retained in said groove and terminating with end faces in spaced relation to ends of the rail member and defining end spaces;

a latch-handle means at each end space of the rail member, each latch-handle means including a unitary body member having a bolt portion slidably retained in said groove by said retaining lips, and a lift handle portion extending through said groove opening and having an edge surface to abut said stile member,

said bolt portion extending beyond said edge surface for interlocking engagement with one of said bolt receiving openings in said jamb member;

and spring means carried by said latch-handle means for biasing said latch-handle means into said interlocking engagement,

one end of said spring means being seated against said strip element end face.

2. In a construction as stated in claim 1 wherein said handle portion includes an inwardly extending cover section for overlying the adjacent end and end face of the decorative strip element in both retracted and locked position of the latch means;

said handle portion serving as a hand grip for raising said panel frame means and for latching said bolt portion.

3. In a sliding panel construction, the provision of:

jamb members having vertically extending recesses and bolt receiving openings therein;

a panel frame member having stile members slidably receivable in said recesses of the jamb members, said panel frame member having ends connected with said stile members;

a one-piece latch and'lift means for slidably adjustably positioning said panel member in a frame opening provided by said jamb members;

means at one end of the frame member for slidably mounting said latch and lift means,

said mounting means including means providing a channel-like groove on said panel frame member;

a latch bolt portion on said latch and lift means slidably receivable and movable in said channel-like groove beyond the end of the panel member;

a handle life portion on said latch means defining with said bolt portion a guide recess cooperable with an edge of said channel-like groove means;

and means including a decorative strip member having an abutment face limiting travel of said latch means to a retracted position, and

an abutment face on said handle portion adapted to engage said stile member to limit movement of said latch means to a lock engagement position;

whereby said one piece latch and lift means may be gripped by a hand for releasing, lifting, and locking said panel member in selected position between said jamb members. 

1. In a sliding panel construction, the combination of: spaced jamb members having vertically extending recesses and bolt receiving openings therein; a panel frame means having stile members slidably receivable in said recesses of said jamb members, and including a panel rail member having a longitudinally extending groove in one side face thereof with opposed longitudinal retaining lips defining a groove opening and having rail member ends connected with said stile members; a decorative strip element retained in said groove and terminating with end faces in spaced relation to ends of the rail member and defining end spaces; a latch-handle means at each end space of the rail member, each latch-handle means including a unitary body member having a bolt portion slidably retained in said groove by said retaining lips, and a lift handle portion extending through said groove opening and having an edge surface to abut said stile member, said bolt portion extending beyond said edge surface for interlocking engagement with one of said bolt receiving openings in said jamb member; and spring means carried by said latch-handle means for biasing said latch-handle means into said interlocking engagement, one end of said spring means being seated against said strip element end face.
 2. In a construction as stated in claim 1 wherein said handle portion includes an inwardly extending cover section for overlying the adjacent end and end face of the decorative strip element in both retracted and locked position of the latch means; said handle portion serving as a hand grip for raising said panel frame means and for latching said bolt portion.
 3. In a sliding panel construction, the provision of: jamb members having vertically extending recesses and bolt receiving openings therein; a panel frame member having stile members slidably receivable in said recesses of the jamb members, said panel frame member having ends connected with said stile members; a one-piece latch and lift means for slidably adjustably positioning said panel member in a frame opening provided by said jamb members; means at one end of the frame member for slidably mounting said latch and lift means, said mounting meAns including means providing a channel-like groove on said panel frame member; a latch bolt portion on said latch and lift means slidably receivable and movable in said channel-like groove beyond the end of the panel member; a handle life portion on said latch means defining with said bolt portion a guide recess cooperable with an edge of said channel-like groove means; and means including a decorative strip member having an abutment face limiting travel of said latch means to a retracted position, and an abutment face on said handle portion adapted to engage said stile member to limit movement of said latch means to a lock engagement position; whereby said one piece latch and lift means may be gripped by a hand for releasing, lifting, and locking said panel member in selected position between said jamb members. 